Skills for Work:
Construction Crafts
Intermediate 1
Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery
Support Material
July 2005
Scottish Further Education Unit
Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Acknowledgements
SFEU is grateful to the subject specialists in Scotland’s Colleges and other
agencies and industry bodies who have been involved in the writing of this and
other support materials in the Skills for Work series.
© Scottish Further Education Unit 2005
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and
Bench Joinery
DM7J 10
Introduction
These notes are provided to support teachers and lecturers presenting the
Scottish Qualifications Authority Unit DM7J 10, Construction Crafts: Site
Carpentry and Bench Joinery.
Copyright for this pack is held by the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU).
However, teachers and lecturers have permission to use the pack and reproduce
items from the pack provided that this is to support teaching and learning
processes and that no profit is made from such use. If reproduced in part, the
source should be acknowledged.
Enquiries relating to this Support Pack or issues relating to copyright should be
addressed to:
Information and Publications Co-ordinator
The Scottish Further Education Unit
Argyll Court
Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TY
Website: www.sfeu.ac.uk
Further information regarding this Unit including Unit Specification, National
Assessment Bank materials, Centre Approval and certification can be obtained
from:
The Scottish Qualifications Authority
Hanover House
24 Douglas Street
Glasgow
G2 7NQ
Website: www.sqa.org.uk
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Support Pack,
teachers and lecturers should satisfy themselves that the information passed to
candidates is accurate and in accordance with the current SQA arrangements
documents. SFEU will accept no responsibility for any consequences deriving
either directly or indirectly from the use of this Pack.
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Contents
What are Skills for Work Courses all about?
7
The Course in Construction Crafts (Intermediate 1)
10
Unit Specification: statement of standards
12
Teaching and learning approaches
15
Tutor notes
18
Carpentry and joinery – an introduction
19
Site carpentry and bench joinery
20
Basic carpentry and joinery terms
20
Carpentry and joinery – health and safety
27
Carpentry and joinery tools
28
Materials used for bench and site work
31
Setting out and measuring timber structures
32
Setting out and fixing timber grounds
33
Construct a mitre block
35
Scribe hardboard infill plate
36
Carpentry and joinery techniques and “tricks of the trade”
37
Carpentry and joinery standards and tolerances
38
Standards
38
Tolerances
39
Checking standards of carpentry and joinery
40
Formative assessment
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What are Skills for Work Courses all about?
Skills for Work Courses are designed to help candidates to develop:
• skills and knowledge in a broad vocational area
• Core Skills
• an understanding of the workplace
• positive attitudes to learning
• skills and attitudes for employability
A key feature of these Courses is the emphasis on experiential learning. This
means learning through practical experience and learning by reflecting on
experience.
Learning through practical experience
Teaching/learning programmes should include some or all of the following:
• learning in real or simulated workplace settings
• learning through role play activities in vocational contexts
• carrying out case study work
• planning and carrying out practical tasks and assignments
Learning through reflecting at all stages of the experience
Teaching/learning programmes should include some or all of the following:
• preparing and planning for the activity
• taking stock throughout the activity
• reviewing and adapting as necessary
• reflecting after the activity has been completed
• evaluating, self-assessing and identifying learning points
The Skills for Work Courses are also designed to provide candidates with
opportunities for developing Core Skills and enhancing skills and attitudes for
employability.
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Core Skills
The five Core Skills are:
• Communication
• Numeracy
• Information Technology
• Problem Solving
• Working with Others
Opportunities for developing these skills are highlighted in each of the Course and
Unit Specifications.
Employability
The skills and attitudes for employability, including self-employment, are outlined
below:
• generic skills/attitudes valued by employers
• understanding of the workplace and the employee’s responsibilities, for
example time-keeping, appearance, customer care
• self-evaluation skills
• positive attitude to learning
• flexible approaches to solving problems
• adaptability and positive attitude to change
• confidence to set goals, reflect and learn from experience
• specific vocational skills/knowledge
Course Specifications highlight the links to National Occupational Standards in
the vocational area and identify progression opportunities
Opportunities for developing these skills and attitudes are highlighted in each of
the Course and Unit Specifications. These opportunities include giving young
people direct access to workplace experiences or, through partnership
arrangements, providing different learning environments and experiences which
simulate aspects of the workplace. These experiences might include site visits,
visiting speakers, role play and other practical activities.
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A Curriculum for Excellence (Scottish Executive 2004) identifies aspirations for
every young person. These are that they should become:
• successful learners
• confident individuals
• responsible citizens
• effective contributors
The learning environments, the focus on experiential learning and the
opportunities to develop employability and Core Skills in these Courses contribute
to meeting these aspirations.
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The Course in Construction Crafts (Intermediate 1)
Course Rationale
The Intermediate 1 Construction Crafts Course has been designed to provide a
basis for progression into further education or for moving directly into training in
employment within the construction sector. The purpose of the Course is to
ensure that candidates start to develop the general skills, practical skills,
knowledge and understanding and employability skills needed within the sector.
The primary target group for this Course is school candidates in S3 and S4. It is
anticipated that, for this group of candidates, the Course will rely on and build on
existing partnerships between schools and colleges (or other agencies). This may
be particularly pertinent in the case of the Construction Crafts Course due to the
specialist expertise and facilities available in, for example, Further Education
colleges and training providers. Nevertheless, the Construction Crafts Course is
designed at a level and scope such that it can be delivered in schools, if the
school has suitable facilities and teaching expertise. The Course is also suitable
for adult candidates who are seeking to enhance their employability and develop
introductory vocational skills in the construction sector.
The general aims of the Construction Crafts Course are to:
• widen participation in vocationally-related learning for 14-16 year olds
• allow candidates to experience vocationally-related learning
• provide candidates with a broad introduction to the construction crafts
vocational sector
• encourage candidates to foster a good work ethic, including timekeeping, a
positive attitude and other relevant employability skills
• provide opportunities to develop a range of Core Skills in a realistic context
• encourage candidates to take charge of their own learning and development
• provide a range of teaching, learning and assessment styles to motivate
candidates to achieve their full potential
• facilitate progression to further education and/or training
In particular, the aims of this Course in Construction Crafts are to:
• give candidates the technical knowledge, skills and understanding associated
with a range of craft skills in construction at this level
• develop an awareness that health and safety issues are integral to the world of
work generally and construction in particular
• encourage candidates to develop a positive attitude to waste minimisation and
environmental issues
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• enable candidates to develop and apply practical, technical and
communication skills as a foundation for future learning and progression
• encourage candidates to apply their knowledge and understanding of
construction by using skills of evaluation and problem-solving in a vocational
context
• encourage candidates to plan their work and review their progress
• prepare candidates for further learning opportunities, study and training for
employment in construction and the built environment sectors and related
occupations
The Intermediate 1 Course in Construction Crafts has been designed with
Occupational Standards in mind. There is a link, though not directly, to these
Standards. The standards required of first-year apprentices in the building
industry are, and should remain, significantly more onerous than those for this
Course which is at an introductory level.
While no formal entrance qualifications are required for this Course, it would be
expected that candidates embarking on the Course would find the following
learning skills and aptitudes helpful:
• basic proficiency in literacy
• basic proficiency in numeracy
• some aptitude for graphical forms of communication (the reading of basic
drawings is required by the course)
• motivation to work independently
This Course supports progression into appropriate further education or for training
in employment. The Course provides the basis for candidates to gain an insight
into craft occupations such as brickwork and plastering, and to use their studies to
help them decide the career they wish to follow. Candidates studying this Course
in Construction Crafts and choosing a craft option may be aiming to progress into
a craft apprenticeship in industry. Candidates who choose such a route will
experience appropriate training and undertake SVQs in the workplace.
Candidates who are uncertain which trade to follow, or who do not obtain a
placement, may undertake pre-vocational courses at Further Education colleges.
Whether as part of a pre-vocational college programme or otherwise, the
Construction Crafts Course should facilitate progression to the SPA in Building
Crafts or an appropriate National Certificate programme.
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Unit Specification: statement of standards
Unit: Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery
(Intermediate 1)
Acceptable performance in this Unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the
standards set out in this part of the Unit Specification. All sections of the
statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to
the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Outcome 1
Select, use and manage hand tools and materials.
Performance Criteria
a) The selection of tools is appropriate for the work to be carried out.
b) Tools and materials are handled and transported correctly.
c) Tools and materials are positioned correctly in the work area in accordance
with good practice.
d) Tools and materials are stored correctly after use.
e) Health and safety requirements are complied with during all activities.
Outcome 2
Carry out tasks involving site carpentry skills.
Performance Criteria
a) Work is set out correctly with regard to subsequent fixing of components.
b) Timber and hardboard components are marked out to given sizes.
c) Timber and hardboard components are cut to given sizes and within prescribed
tolerances.
d) Timber and hardboard components are fixed to given positioning.
e) A quality check is carried out on the finished work against the prescribed
standards and tolerances.
f) Health and safety requirements are complied with during all activities.
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Outcome 3
Carry out tasks involving bench joinery skills.
Performance Criteria
a) Materials are correctly marked out prior to tool application.
b) The work piece is secured during tool application.
c) Materials are cut, shaped and jointed to given sizes and in accordance with
good practice.
d) Components are manufactured to given sizes and within prescribed tolerances.
e) A quality check is carried out on the finished work against the prescribed
standards and tolerances.
f) Health and safety requirements are complied with during all activities.
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Evidence requirements for the Unit
Performance evidence is required to show that all Outcomes and Performance
Criteria have been achieved.
Performance evidence will be supported by an assessor checklist. This
evidence will be generated from an integrated assignment consisting of practical
activities carried out in supervised workshop conditions. The evidence may be
gathered at different points throughout the Unit. The practical activities will cover:
• selecting the correct tools for particular tasks, transporting them and
positioning them correctly between tasks; using the tools in a correct and safe
manner, using them solely for the purpose for which they are designed, and
cleaning and storing them correctly after use
• measuring out accurately, setting out the lengths of timbers and length and
breadth of sheet materials
• cutting, shaping and jointing of timbers and sheet materials in accordance with
good practice
• constructing, from given two- and three-dimensional drawings:
• one softwood ground positioned vertically and of minimum height 2.00m;
• one softwood ground positioned horizontally and of minimum length 1.00m;
• one scribed hardboard infill plate of minimum length 900mm;
• a manufactured mitre block;
• all of the above to be carried out to given tolerances.
• using the manufactured mitre block to cut, fit and fix dressed timber beads into
a square cornered frame
• candidates carrying out a quality check on their own work before submitting for
final assessment
• candidates maintaining a clean and tidy workplace and adhering to health and
safety requirements throughout all activities
The National Assessment Bank item for this Unit (NAB) contains candidate review
sheets and an assessor observation checklist. The NAB illustrates the national
standard required for this Unit. Centres who wish to devise their own
assessments should refer to the NAB to ensure a comparable standard.
NB Centres must refer to the full Unit specification for detailed information
related to this Unit.
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Teaching and learning approaches
The Construction Crafts Intermediate 1 course seeks to teach candidates a range
of basic skills in subject specific craft areas such as bricklaying, carpentry and
joinery, painting and decorating, plumbing etc. while also encouraging candidates
to develop a number of important employability skills. This particular Support
Pack has been developed to support the delivery and assessment of the Site
Carpentry and Bench Joinery Unit which forms one unit from the Construction
Crafts Course.
There is currently some debate about what should be included in the term
employability skills. For the purposes of the Construction Craft course
employability is defined as an appropriate blend of technically specific skills and a
range of work related skills and attitudes. The skills and attitudes that have been
identified in the Construction Craft: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery Unit are as
follows: timekeeping, attendance, planning and preparation, working cooperatively, maintaining a tidy work area, checking own work to ensure it
conforms with standards, demonstrating a positive attitude to learning, showing a
willingness to take instructions from others and responding positively to advice
and feedback.
Within the Construction Craft course it is envisaged that the delivery and
assessment of the employability skills mentioned in the previous paragraph will be
integrated into the delivery of the craft-specific Units. Such an approach is seen
as the best way of developing such skills and attitudes: setting their development
within a practical and realistic construction craft context. Delivery for the
Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery Unit can include an initial
induction session plus one review meeting mid-way through the course and one
review meeting at the end of the course. The purpose of the induction session is
to induct candidates into what is meant by employability skills within a construction
craft setting and explain the ways in which skills for work will be assessed as part
of the craft- specific Units. The two review sessions should be used by the Team
delivering the Construction Craft course to review how well candidates are
learning about employability skills and to provide candidates with opportunities to
comment on how well the employability skills are being delivered.
Integration implies that candidates are taught employability skills and attitudes
while ‘on the job.’ This requires tutors delivering the Construction Craft course to
have a common and consistent understanding of what is meant by employability
skills within this context. In order to achieve this, tutors delivering the
Construction Craft course must act as a team and meet regularly to discuss
issues arising from the course.
As pupil/student learning of employability skills is largely experiential in nature, the
role of tutors becomes critical. Candidates will pick up good (or bad) employability
habits from their tutors. It is important that tutors maintain consistent and high
standards when it comes to the employability skills being highlighted in the
Construction Craft course. However, no one is perfect and lapses in performance
can be used in a positive way to reinforce good employability skills (eg. so the
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tutor was a few minutes late on a few occasions, so will bosses in the real world that does not mean you have an excuse to drift away from the class).
One of the key challenges of the Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench
Joinery Unit is to encourage candidates to self-reflect on their own performance
against the various skills and attitudes in the Unit. This means not only identifying
strengths but also weakness and areas for improvement. This is seen as a very
important career development skill and, for that matter, a very important life skill.
The self reflection process forms a very important part of the assessment for the
Course and tutors should encourage its development throughout the delivery of
the craft- specific Units including Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery.
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Section 1: Teacher/lecturer support materials
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Tutor notes
Introduction
These notes have been prepared to help you deliver and assess the Construction
Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery Unit as part of the Construction Crafts
Intermediate 1 course.
Student tasks and activities are identified with the symbol
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Carpentry and joinery – an introduction
Making things from wood is one of the oldest occupations in the world. The craft
of the carpenter and joiner has a real and tangible tradition behind it. In the past
the carpenter and joiner was the most important person in the house building
industry being the designer, builder and furnisher of the home. He cut his material
direct from the tree, fashioning it to size and shape on site. A visit to any medieval
building will show the standard and skill these craftsmen were able to produce
without the electrically powered machinery and equipment we take for granted
today.
The hand tools and techniques used by the modern carpenter and joiner have
their roots firmly in the past and have much in common with their predecessors.
Indeed it is safe to say that the skills taught by Joseph to Jesus and the tools he
used are similar to those used by apprentices today.
A modern apprentice carpenter and joiner serves a four year apprenticeship. It is
a trade to be proud of and is well worth considering as a career.
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Site carpentry and bench joinery
Although in Scotland we refer to joiners, in other areas of Britain they are referred
to as carpenters or ‘chippies’. However they all work with timber. All carpenters
and joiners learn the skills that allow them to work in a workshop or on site.
These skills are transferable from one discipline to the other. At a workshop
bench a joiner can make a great range of components: door and screens,
windows and stairs to name a few. On site, a carpenter will be involved in the
construction of a building, building partitions, floors, roofs and the installation of
the components made by the joiner. This unit is designed to give you a basic
introduction to some of the skills that a carpenter and joiner needs to learn to
perform his job to a high standard.
Basic carpentry and joinery terms
There are a large number of different carpentry and joinery terms. Some of these
are quite complicated but here is a list of terms that will enable you to understand
the basic principles required to construct basic joints and perform basic joinery
skills:
Section sizes
The length, breadth and thickness of a material eg. 100 x
50 x 2400 mm indicates a piece of timber that is 100 mm
wide, 50mm thick and 2400 mm long.
L
B
W
Stitch Nailing
This is a technique where the nail is almost driven in but
the head is left protruding to allow the nail to be easily
removed. This technique is used when a piece of timber is
to be temporarily fixed or is held in position until the
carpenter and joiner is happy that it is correctly positioned.
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Bevel
A single angled cut on a piece of timber.
Square
A cut on a piece of timber at 90°.
Level
When a piece of timber is perfectly horizontal it is said to
be level.
Plumb
When a piece of timber is vertical (90° to the horizontal) it
is said to be plumb.
Mitre
This is a joint used when 2 pieces of timber are to be
joined together to form a 90° angle. The mitre is when
each piece is cut at 45°.
Off Saw (OS)
When a piece of timber has been cut to size using
woodworking power saws it said to be Off Saw.
Dressed All
Round (DAR)
If a piece of timber after being cut Off Saw is then finished
using a plane it is said to be dressed. If all four sides are
dressed it is said to be Dressed All Round.
Face and
Edged
This is the term given to dressing a Flat Face and then a
Square Edge. All joints are then marked from the face
and edge. This is an exercise that you can practice using
scrap pieces of wood. (See page 22 for a diagram of
facing and edging and page 26 for the exercise.)
Scribing
When working with an irregular shape it is often necessary
to cut this timber tight to this shape. When this is done it is
known as scribing. (See page 22 for diagram.)
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Mortice and
Tenon
There are many versions of this joint. This is the joint most
commonly used when joining doors, windows and other
similar components. When glued and wedged it is a very
strong joint. The drawing shows a haunched mortice and
tenon.
Dovetail
Shaped as its name suggests like a dove’s tail, this is the
strongest joint of all. Its main use is in the construction of
drawers. You will not be required to construct any dovetail
joints in your work for this Unit, but why not look for
examples of this type of joint anyway.
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Housing
When one piece of timber is sunk into another by about
one third of its depth it is called a ‘housing’. A very good
joint used in making simple frames such as partitions or
door frames.
Masonry Wall
A wall that is constructed from brick, block or stone.
Hollow Wall
A wall that is hollow in construction, a timber stud partition
clad with sheet material, normally plasterboard.
Rawlplug
Although a trade name, this has
become the common name of the
plastic plug that allows us to gain a
fixing in masonry walls.
Hollow Wall
Fixings
There are many ways to fix into a hollow wall. All have
their own methods of fixing and therefore it is necessary
and advisable to read the instructions before using these
fixings. Some of the more common ones are pictured
here.
Self Drill
Self
drill
Interset
Interset
Spring
Spring
Toggle
toggle
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Nails
There are many nails available mostly made out of steel
wire. Below is a selection of common wire nails.
• Round wire nail – This is used for general work. The
round wire nail is best suited for thicker sections of
timber.
• Oval wire nail – This is a long nail and care must be
taken when it is hammered into the wood. It is unlikely
to split the wood.
• Lost head nail – This is ideal if it is necessary to hide
the head of the nail as a punch can be used to hammer
the head beneath the surface level.
• Annular nail – The teeth of this nail hold it in place
firmly. Therefore, it is used for fixing chipboard and
other sheet materials.
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Screws
Screws are used to fix timber and sheet materials together.
They can be used to join materials together permanently
although as they can be removed with relative ease they
are also good as a way of fixing materials temporarily. The
basic types of screw are:
• Countersunk – either with a slot, pozi or philips head.
The picture is of a slot head screw. An exercise
involving countersinking can be found on page 26.
• Round head – normally only in slot head, a very
decorative screw when made in brass.
• Raised head – again normally only in slot head, used
primarily for fixing handles to doors, windows, etc.
• Twin thread – available in all head styles, this screw is
threaded along its whole length. Twin threads generally
have a pozidrive head although they can have philips
heads. The picture shows a pozidrive head
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Practice jobs before the start of projects
Face and edge scrap material. Dress to size by planing approximately
3mm from the face and then check the results using a try square.
On scrap wood, bore 5 holes and countersink for screws as shown in the
diagram below.
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Carpentry and joinery – health and safety
Apprentice Carpenters and Joiners cannot finish their apprenticeship until they
have successfully completed a Health and Safety test. Health and safety is taken
very seriously in the construction industry.
There is an old saying that “a tidy joiner is a safe joiner”. This is very true.
Working in the building industry can be dangerous, but here are some general
rules to follow in order to work safely:
• Always wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) as instructed; this could be as simple as wearing
gloves to carry off-the-saw (OS) timber.
• Always keep your working area tidy
• Always report any hazard you see
• Never carry on, or lark about on a site or in a workshop
• Always take care of, clean and maintain the tools you use
• Don’t talk to others, be distracted by or distract others while
you are working
• At the end of a work session always leave the workshop or site the way you
would hope to find it. If you leave stuff lying about someone could trip over it
and injure themselves!
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Carpentry and joinery tools
There is a wide range of tools in a carpenter and joiner’s tool kit. Shown below is
a basic list that will enable you to identify, select and use the correct tools required
to construct basic joints and perform some basic site techniques.
Claw
hammer
The tool that is synonymous with the
carpenter and joiner. Used to drive in and
remove nails from timber and to aid
knocking together frames.
Try square
This tool is used to mark square lines
around a section of timber. It can also be
used to check if the bottom of a joint is
level.
Retractable
measuring
tape
Used to measure long lengths of timber.
Four fold
rule
The advantage of the folding rule over a
rigid rule is that it closes or folds from 1
metre down to 250mm by means of hinges
therefore is more easily transported by the
joiner. Generally these rules are made of
boxwood, but more recently nylon rules
have become increasingly popular
throughout the trade.
Tenon saw
Categorised as a back saw (brass or steel)
this saw is used primarily for cutting tenons
it is also very useful for cutting small
sections of timber at a bench.
Smoothing
plane
The smoothing plane is used to finish off the
surface of timber after a component has
been glued together. It is the plane most
woodworkers will have in their tool kit and
can be used to dress or reduce the size of
timber
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Bevel Edged Although originally designed to allow the
Chisel
joiner to cut into the angle of a dovetail its
strength and adaptability soon made it the
preferred chisel of the woodworker.
Spirit Level
Used for levelling out work, and ensuring
work is plumb prior to fixing. The level
comes in various sizes ranging from 25mm
(a line level) to 1200mm (a bricklayers
level).
Combination This is a square that can mark both 45° and
Square
90° lines onto a piece of timber.
Marking
Gauge
Used to mark the depth of a joint eg. a
housing joint, or the depth to which you
want to plane down a piece of timber.
Mortice
Gauge
This is like a marking gauge but this time it
has 2 points. It is used primarily to mark out
mortice and tenon joints.
Coping Saw
This saw is a type of frame-tensioned saw.
The blade is kept tight by the tension
supplied by the saw’s frame. It is used
primarily to cut shapes in timber and sheet
materials and is very useful for scribing
timber to irregular shapes. (See scribing in
list of terms)
Screwdriver
Available in 3 main types to suit the screw
head they are slot, posidrive and Philips.
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Mortice
chisel
This chisel has a long tapering blade. As
the name suggests it is used for cutting
holes in timber called mortices.
These are only a selection of the hand tools that you may require to complete the
tasks.
Write below any other tools that you may have used and ask your tutor to
check that you have used the correct names.
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Materials used for bench and site work
To perform their job carpenters and joiners must use many materials. Here is a
small selection of those that could be used and their common sizes:
European
Redwood
This is a term that links many of the softwoods that grow
across the whole of Europe each with common properties
that result in them being classified together. Some of these
timbers are Scots Pine, Baltic Pine and Red Deal. A strong
and durable timber, Redwood is commonly used for external
components like doors windows etc. It comes in a variety of
sections with 100 x 50mm and 150 x 50mm being the most
common and lengths from 3m rising in 0.3m stages up to
about 6m.
European
whitewood
Like European redwood this is a collection of European
softwoods. Lighter in colour than the redwood, it is not as
durable but just as strong. For this reason it is used as a
structural component internally. Ideal for rafters in roofs and
floor joists its section sizes are similar to Redwood.
CLS
Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS) is a manufactured timber
utilising shorter sectioned material. Available in 38 x 66mm
or 38 x 89mm sections, it is usually only in 2.4 or 4.8 metre
lengths. CLS is the preferred material for manufacturing
timber framed housing kits.
Plasterboard
A cladding material for walls and ceilings. Normal sheet sizes
are 1200 x 2400mm and it is available in thicknesses from
9.5mm to about 30mm.
Plywood
A cladding material for walls and roofs. Normal sheet sizes
are 1200 x 2400mm. Plywood comes in thicknesses from
3mm to about 25mm.
Oriented
Strand Board
OSB is a cladding material for walls and roofs. Normal sheet
sizes are 1200 x 2400mm. OSB is available in thicknesses
from 6mm to about 25mm.
Medium
Density
Fibreboard
MDF is now a very common material on site. It has many
uses in particular facings, skirtings, door panels and shelving.
Normal sheet sizes are 1200 x 2400mm and its thickness
ranges from 3mm to about 45mm.
Hardboard
This is a low-density fibreboard. Made from compressed
paper pulp, it has been mostly overtaken in popularity by
MDF. However, it is still used for bath panels and for levelling
uneven floors. Normal sheet sizes are 1200 x 2400mm with
thicknesses of 3mm to 9mm.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Setting out and measuring timber structures
A carpenter and joiner must be able to measure
accurately. If accurate measurement is not achieved it
could cause many problems. For example what if an
important component, say a door or a window, was made
too small for the opening? Imagine the cost implications if
the joiner measured a floor and got the quantity of material
required completely wrong! How do you explain to a
customer that the price for the job is wrong because of
your measurements?
Now let’s see how you ‘measure up’ with a simple exercise! Take a look at
the drawing and answer the questions below:
1m
3m
4m
1. If the door opening is 1m wide, what will be the length of skirting required for
fitting around the perimeter of the room?
Answer – (Show all your working)
2. Calculate the total area of plasterboard required to sheet the walls of the above
room. Height of partition is 2.400m. Height of door is 2m.
Answer – (Show all your working)
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Setting out and fixing timber grounds
The correct sequence of setting out a timber ground is extremely important. You
must get the position of the ground correct, otherwise what is being fixed to the
ground could be in the wrong position! This causes problems later for fixing the
skirting boards or even the radiator! Just as important is the sequence of fixing
the ground. You must make sure that it can take the weight of the item fixed to it.
Here is the recommended sequence for fixing grounds to a wall:
• Step 1
Read the drawing and establish the correct position where the
ground is to be fixed.
• Step 2
Hold spirit level against marked position and draw a level line.
• Step 3
Mark position of ground onto wall.
• Step 4
Cut material for ground to length
• Step 5
Check what the wall is made of and select a suitable fixing. If the
wall is masonry, plastic plugs and screws will be used and if it is of a
hollow construction any proprietary fixing can be used (see page 23).
• Step 6
Drill a hole at either end of the ground approximately 50mm in from
each end.
• Step 7
Hold the ground to level line and, using a pencil, mark the position of
holes onto wall. Check position is correct before moving on to next
step.
• Step 8
Using a suitable electric drill and a drill bit for the wall, drill these 2
holes and insert chosen fixing into the wall.
N.B. Using an electric drill to drill holes into timber or masonry is not
as easy as it sounds. For the holes to be accurate and useable it is
necessary that they are drilled straight and level/plumb. To aid you
in achieving this ask a friend to stand to the side of you and to look
and see if the drill is level/plumb and that your hole is going to be
straight. With practice you will eventually be able to do this without
help.
• Step 9
Fix ground to wall and check for level with a spirit level.
• Step 10
Drill and fix a third time exactly in the centre of ground. You may
have to remove the ground to allow you to insert the fixing into the
wall.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
• Step 11
Using a straight edge check
ground for straight across its face
and using thin packers of timber
or sheet material, pack the ground
to straight.
To fix the other ground in your task, follow this sequence but instead of level fix it
plumb to its correct position. Instead of 3 fixings the plumb ground should be fixed
5 times with the middle 3 fixings equally spaced between the outer 2.
Fixing vertical and horizontal grounds
The diagram below shows you what you are trying to achieve with horizontal and
vertical grounds.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Construct a mitre block
A mitre block is a very handy tool for a joiner and can easily be made up from any
available timber. It is used to allow the joiner to make angled cuts onto timber
sections for use as facings or cover beads to frames. There is a diagram of a
mitre block below.
• Step 1
Select two pieces of timber about 400mm long.
• Step 2
Prepare a flat face and a square edge.
• Step 3
Gauge both pieces to size and dress to gauged lines.
• Step 4
Drill and countersink 4 holes in one piece equally spaced along its
length.
• Step 5
Using suitable timber screws and a screwdriver fix both pieces
together making sure they finish flush together.
• Step 6
Using a combination square or a mitre square mark two mitre lines in
each direction about 75 mm apart and square them down the face of
your block.
• Step 7
Using a tenon saw, accurately cut down both these lines to the base.
Congratulations once again! You have made a mitre block that you can use to cut
the beads for a picture frame or a door facing.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Scribe hardboard infill plate
Your next task is to scribe a hardboard panel up to the grounds you have fixed to
the wall. These are the steps you should follow:
• Step 1
Cut hardboard panel 900mm x 300mm.
• Step 2
Place hardboard up to the grounds (see drawing)
• Step 3
With a pencil, mark the hardboard to suit the horizontal and vertical
grounds (see diagram on page 22).
• Step 4
Cut hardboard to these lines using a panel saw.
• Step 5
Check with your tutor that you are within the tolerance of 4mm.
Congratulations! You have scribed a piece of hardboard. Was it easy? Probably
not! But you did it!
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Carpentry and joinery techniques and “tricks of the trade”
There are many “tricks of the trade” but here are a few basic ones that will help
you develop the basic techniques of carpentry and joinery.
Remember!!
There are no short cuts. You need to practise, practise and practise again. A
carpenter and joiner serves a four year apprenticeship, so be patient and don’t
expect to become a carpenter and joiner in four hours or four weeks. However, if
you listen carefully and try hard, you should be able to produce a good standard of
joinery by the end of this Unit.
Learn to work in an organised and logical manner. Think through every task
before you commence any work. Remember – it is important that you understand
what you want to achieve before you start.
Try to anticipate any problems and be observant of all aspects of your task.
Above all learn from your mistakes.
Learn to cut timber square. Help yourself by using a try square at all times to
mark out your timber before cutting. Remember – practise, practise, practise,
because practice makes perfect.
When using any cutting tool eg. a chisel or a saw, make sure your
fingers are behind the cutting edge. If the tools are used this way
the only thing on the floor will be shavings and not your fingers and
blood. Remember you are learning to cut wood and not your
fingers.
Organise your working area. Place your tools and materials where you need
them and keep the area tidy at all times. This will help you to work well, without
tripping up over things and getting frustrated.
Learn to use your tools correctly – This will enable you to gain confidence as
you practise the various techniques. It is very important that you listen to
everything you are told.
Get simple things correct at the very beginning. If you were learning to play
golf you would have to concentrate to begin with on how to hold the golf club
properly. Exactly the same applies here. For example learn how to hold a
hammer and a saw correctly. If you get this right, other things will become much
easier as you progress. Your tutor will be able to tell you why the correct way is
the best way. Your tutor will also be able to tell you what went wrong if you do
things incorrectly.
The best tip of all? This never changes. Try your best at all times and
eventually you will master and learn the basics of the carpentry and joinery trade.
But be warned – it won’t always be easy! However working in wood is good fun.
Enjoy it.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Carpentry and joinery standards and tolerances
All buildings have to be built to minimum standards and tolerances. What does
this mean?
Standards
Carpentry and Joinery components are some of the most noticeable aspects of a
house. Everyone sees it around the building. Many people nowadays choose a
house because of its appearance from outside but also look for quality of
construction in how it is finished internally. Carpentry and Joinery must therefore
look good and pleasing to the eye. Poor work is immediately noticed - even by
non-experts. All components must therefore be built to required standards. This
means that the materials and the way they are put together are up to the
expectations of the client. These standards include:
• Being level
Floors and Roofs should be level. Structures built “off the level” are very
noticeable. Ask yourself: Would you buy a house that was not level?
• Being plumb
The wall must be vertical otherwise known as “plumb”. The
most famous example of a wall being off the plumb is the
leaning tower of Pisa. The tower is basically falling down,
albeit very slowly. It is in fact quite dangerous. Would you
buy a house that was not plumb? It is therefore very
important to build walls or timber partitions “plumb”.
• Joints Tight
It is important for the strength of any structure that the joints are tight.
• Finished Dimensions
The finished dimensions (sizes) are very important. What can we do with a
window that is not the correct size for the opening? If the window is too large it
will not fit into the opening and if it is too small it will fall through!
• Opening Sizes
The finished sizes of any opening are very important. Again think about the
door that is too small for the opening or indeed the opening that is too small for
the door. If the door is however within the allowed tolerance we can adjust the
opening or the door to fit. If the door is too large or the opening too small, the
door could be reduced in size to fit. If the door is too small, or the opening too
large, then we could reduce the opening size by making the frame a bit
smaller.
Remember!!
You will be asked to check the structures that you build to see if they meet
the required standards.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Tolerances
It is a fact that very few timber structures are built absolutely perfect. We
therefore allow tolerances that are acceptable to build within. Here are some
typical examples of the tolerances you may have to achieve when you are
building your own component.
Finished Dimensions
+ or – 5mm.
This means your structure can be up to 5mm too big or 5 mm too small. More
than 5mm would not be accepted.
Opening Sizes
+ or – 3mm.
This means your window and door opening can be 3mm too low, 3mm too high or
3mm too wide. Any more than this would not be accepted.
Level
+ or – 5mm
This means that your floor can be a maximum of 5mm off the level in either
direction.
Plumb
+ or – 5mm/m
This means your wall can be a maximum of 5mm off the vertical in every metre.
Any more than 5mm would not be acceptable.
Remember!!
These tolerances are set for you. Time served carpenters and joiners are
required to work to much stricter tolerances. This can only be achieved by
practice, practice and more practice over a period of years.
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Checking standards of carpentry and joinery
Craftsmanship is the skill employed in making something properly and this is
achieved by having complete mastery over your tools and materials plus using
them with skill and honesty. The efficiency of the modern building still depends on
the teamwork of the all the trades. To help maintain standards it is essential that
each carpenter and joiner performs a quality check on his own work.
How do you think you could do this? The answer is by marking your own work on
a checklist. You will be shown how to do this in the workshop. This is known as
carrying out your quality check. Here is an example of a checklist that has been
marked.
Outcome 3 – Erect and Repair Timber frame
Candidate
Assessor Comments
Panel constructed to size – within
5mm
Yes
Yes
Housing joints correct size – within
3mm
Yes
Yes
Opening sizes correct – within 3mm
Yes
Yes
Sheet material cut and fixed to
position – within 5mm
Yes
Yes
Floor placed in correct position within
5mm
No
No
Erect pre-fabricated panels – plumb
within 5mm /m
Yes
Yes
Store tools and materials correctly
after use
No
Yes
Handle and transport tools and
materials correctly
No
No
More care
required
Health and safety is complied with at
all times including PPE
Yes
No
Wear safety
boots
Assessor
only marks
No
The candidates quality check is
accurate
Scottish Further Education Unit
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Not accurate
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Formative assessment
Comment and question sheet for candidates
1. Has the assessor had any disagreement with the candidate’s check?
Answer:
2. If there has been any difference of opinion can you identify the details of the
problem?
Answer:
3. Do you think checking your own work is a good idea? (Give reasons for your
answer.)
Answer:
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Formative assessment for site carpentry and bench joinery
This quiz is just for fun. Put a circle around the answer you think is
correct.
1. This tool is called a:
a) Claw Hammer
b) Mash Hammer
c) Brick Hammer
d) Sledge Hammer
2. This tool is called a:
a) Fret Saw
b) Hardpoint Saw
c) Coping Saw
d) Dovetail Saw
3. What do the letters PPE stand for?
a) Personal Stereo Equipment
b) Personal Protective Example
c) Personal Protective Equipment
d) Peoples Protective Equipment
4. Your working area should be kept tidy:
a) All of the time
b) Before the tea break
c) At the end of the working day
d) At the start of the working day
5. A spirit level can used to:
a) keep in your pocket
b) level and plumb grounds
c) straighten a wall
d) check the measurements
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
6. A tenon saw is used for:
a) cutting sheet materials
b) cutting your friend’s fingers
c) cutting small sectioned material
d) cutting copper pipes
7. European Whitewood is a:
a) hardwood grown in Asia
b) softwood grown in America
c) hardwood grown in Europe
d) softwood grown in Europe
8. Where would you use a dovetail joint?
a) To construct a door
b) To construct a window
c) To construct a partition
d) To construct a drawer
9. What is the meaning of OS in timber?
a) Out of Shape
b) Off Saw
c) Old stuff
d) Ordinary Softwood
10.A tolerance for finished dimensions of + or – 5mm means that:
a) your component can be a minimum of 5 mm too small
b) your component can be a maximum of 5mm out of plumb
c) your component can be a maximum of 5 mm out of level
d) your component can be a maximum of 10 mm too big
Mark achieved = …… from 10 correct
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Construction Crafts: Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery – Intermediate 1
Formative assessment for site carpentry and bench joinery
Answer key
1.
a)
Claw Hammer
2.
c)
Coping Saw
3.
c)
Personal Protective Equipment
4.
a)
All of the time
5.
b)
Level and plumb grounds
6.
c)
Cutting small sectioned timber
7.
d)
Softwood grown in Europe
8.
d)
To construct a drawer
9.
b)
Off Saw
10. a)
Your component can be a minimum of 5mm too small
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